Screen readers: Two navigational links to follow.Skip to site navigation.Skip to page content.
Students walking on the Pentacrest on a summer day. Flowers in the foreground. The University of Iowa
Student Disability Services

Information for:

Students
Faculty
Evaluators

arrow

Mission

arrow

Accommodations and Services

arrow

Forms

arrow

News and Announcements

arrow

Events Calendar

arrow

Resources

arrow

Scholarships

arrow

Contact Us

arrow

Staff

arrow

Home

Frequently Asked Questions for
Prospective Students

Should I send documentation of my disability to the Office of Admissions with application to the University of Iowa?

No. Students with disabilities apply to the University of Iowa through the Office of Admissions. All students are expected to meet the competitive admissions standards of the University regardless of disability status. Contact the University of Iowa’s Office of Admissions at (319) 335-3847 or visit their website for more information on the admission’s requirements.

What support can Student Disability Services provide on my behalf with the Office of Admissions?

Our office does not participate in or advocate for prospective students during the admission process.

When I am admitted to the University, am I registered with Student Disability Services?

No. A student must initiate a request for services. For more information, see Registration Process.

When should I apply for services from your office?

The student should apply for SDS services after formally accepting an offer of admission from The University of Iowa. For more information, see Registration Process.

What role do my parents play in the process?

While parents can be of assistance, the student is responsible for working with Student Disability Services and instructors. Students who are 18 years old or older are legally recognized as adults. Each student is responsible for his/her accommodation requests and disability-related decisions. All communication is between the student and Student Disability Services unless the student signs a release of information form. Parental involvement is contingent upon student’s consent. However, students are encouraged to maintain an open dialog with their parents as they can be a great source of support.

I received accommodations in high school or I had an Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) (or 504 plan), can I use the IEP (or 504 plan) as documentation?

Maybe. Accommodation standards in higher education are different than those in elementary and secondary education. A student may not be eligible for the same services in college that he or she received in elementary or secondary school. Please see the Documentation Guidelines for more information.

Do you have interpreters and other services for students with hearing impairments?

Yes. Upon University acceptance and commitment, students should contact with Carole Collier, SDS Coordinator for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, at TTY (319) 335-1498, carole-collier@uiowa.edu, or (319) 335-1462.

Where do I get the forms I need?

Documentation Guidelines are available below:

For more information, see Documentation Guidelines and/or Forms.

Additional Questions

For answers to more general questions, see General FAQ. Still have more questions? Call us at (319) 335-1462, TTY (319) 335-1498, or send us an e-mail.